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Decomposition of an exposed cadaver is a continuous process, beginning at the moment of death and ending when the body is reduced to a dried skeleton. Traditional estimates of the period of time since death or post-mortem interval have been based on a series of grossly observable changes to the body, including livor mortis, algor mortis, rigor mort...
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Context 1
... noir (Fig. 4) Following death, the eyes may remain open and the exposed part of the cornea will dry, leaving a red-orange to black discoloration ( McLemore and Zumwalt 2003). This is termed 'tache noire' (French for 'black line') and may be misinterpreted as hemorrhage. Unlike hemorrhage, this will have symmetrical distribution, corresponding to the ...
Citations
... 104 As a result, intravascular erythrocytes may have undergone decay, potentially impeding our ability to draw conclusions regarding COVID-19's impact on cerebral small vessels. 105 Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the cerebrovascular affliction in these patients may have been influenced by their previous medical history of hypertension or diabetes. In addition, a review article has postulated that SARS-CoV-2 may affect the microcirculation, leading to EC edema and microthrombosis. ...
INTRODUCTION
The angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is expressed in cerebral vascular endothelial cells (CVECs), has been currently identified as a functional receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2.
METHODS
We specifically induced injury to ACE2‐expressing CVECs in mice and evaluated the effects of such targeted damage through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive behavioral tests. In parallel, we recruited a single‐center cohort of COVID‐19 survivors and further assessed their brain microvascular injury based on cognition and emotional scales, cranial MRI scans, and blood proteomic measurements.
RESULTS
Here, we show an array of pathological and behavioral alterations characteristic of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in mice that targeted damage to ACE2‐expressing CVECs, and COVID‐19 survivors. These CSVD‐like manifestations persist for at least 7 months post‐recovery from COVID‐19.
DISCUSSION
Our findings suggest that SARS‐CoV‐2 may induce cerebral small vessel damage with persistent sequelae, underscoring the imperative for heightened clinical vigilance in mitigating or treating SARS‐CoV‐2‐mediated cerebral endothelial injury throughout infection and convalescence.
Highlights
Cerebral small vessel disease–associated changes were observed after targeted damage to angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2–expressing cerebral vascular endothelial cells.
SARS‐CoV‐2 may induce cerebral small vessel damage with persistent sequelae.
Clinical vigilance is needed in preventing SARS‐CoV‐2–induced cerebral endothelial damage during infection and recovery.
... The latter two microbial taxa are directly associated with carrion, acting to begin the decomposition process immediately after death (Pechal et al. 2013). Coleoptera and Diptera species are even specialized in specific phases of carcass degradation, depending on which part of the resource they consume (e.g., active and advanced decay stages with large Diptera larvae masses are preferred feeding sites for predatory Coleoptera; Lee Goff 2009, Prado e Castro et al. 2012, Jones et al. 2015. Consequently, each of these groups benefited from the availability of a higher number of niches (Holt 2009). ...
Resource availability and habitat heterogeneity are essential drivers of biodiversity, but their individual roles often remain unclear since both factors are often correlated. Here, we tested the more-individuals hypothesis (MIH) and the habitat-heterogeneity hypothesis (HHH) for bacteria, fungi, dipterans, coleopterans, birds, and mammals on 100 experimentally exposed carcasses ranging by three orders of magnitude in body mass. At the level of each carcass we found marginal or significant support for the MIH for bacteria, fungi, and beetles in spring and significant support for fungi, dipterans, and mammals in summer. The HHH was supported only for bacteria in spring, while it was supported for all groups except mammals in summer. Overall multidiversity always increased with body mass, with a steeper increase in summer. Abundance based rarefaction-extrapolation curves for three classes of body mass showed the highest species richness for medium-sized carcasses, particular for dipterans and microbes, supporting the HHH also among carcasses. These findings complement existing necromass studies of deadwood, showing there are more niches associated with larger resource amounts and an increasing habitat heterogeneity between carcasses most pronounced for medium-sized species. Higher resource amount led to increased diversity of carrion-consuming organisms in summer, particularly due to the increasing number of niches with increasing size. Our findings underline the importance of distributed large carrion as well as medium-sized carrion in ecosystems supporting overall biodiversity of carrion-consumers. Furthermore, the different responses in spring and summer may inform strategies of carrion enrichment management schemes throughout the year.
... Identifications of two specimens of a very rare species (Nicrophorus sepultor) were confirmed by an expert of the family (Jan Růžička, Prague, Czech Republic). On days 4, 8, 16 and 23, we also evaluated the decomposition stage, which we divided into the following distinguishable successive phases: fresh, putrefaction, bloated, post bloated, advanced decay and dry remains based on Goff (2009). Furthermore, mummification was included as a decomposition stage, resulting from progressive dehydration of the tissue which inhibits normal putrefactive decomposition. ...
Silphinae (Staphylinidae; carrion beetles) are important contributors to the efficient decomposition and recycling of carrion necromass. Their community composition is important for the provision of this ecosystem function and can be affected by abiotic and biotic factors. However, investigations are lacking on the effects of carrion characteristics on Silphinae diversity. Carrion body mass may affect Silphinae diversity following the more individuals hypothesis (MIH). The MIH predicts a higher number of species at larger carrion because higher numbers of individuals can be supported on the resource patch. Additionally, biotic factors like carrion species identity or decomposition stage, and the abiotic factors elevation, season and temperature could affect Silphinae diversity. To test the hypotheses, we collected Silphinae throughout the decomposition of 100 carcasses representing 10 mammal species ranging from 0.04 to 124 kg. Experimental carcasses were exposed in a mountain forest landscape in Germany during spring and summer of 2021. We analysed Silphinae diversity using recently developed transformation models that considered the difficult data distribution we obtained. We found no consistent effect of carrion body mass on Silphinae species richness and, therefore, rejected the MIH. Carrion decomposition stage, in contrast, strongly influenced Silphinae diversity. Abundance and species richness increased with the decomposition process. Silphinae abundance increased with temperature and decreased with elevation. Furthermore, Silphinae abundance was lower in summer compared to spring, likely due to increased co‐occurrence and competition with dipteran larvae in summer. Neither carrion species identity nor any abiotic factor affected Silphinae species richness following a pattern consistent throughout the seasons. Our approach combining a broad study design with an improved method for data analysis, transformation models, revealed new insights into mechanisms driving carrion beetle diversity during carrion decomposition. Overall, our study illustrates the complexity and multifactorial nature of biotic and abiotic factors affecting diversity.
... A carcass is a complex resource containing a high microbial load in the form of enteric and dermal communities, a significant proportion of water (60-80%), a relatively high concentration of lipids and proteins, and a close carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) ratio [18,19]. The decomposition of a body in the ground, particularly in the context of traditional burial practices, follows a sigmoidal pattern [18,20] and is able to be divided into five stages [21][22][23][24][25][26], with varying durations, namely, fresh, bloated, active decomposition, advanced decomposition, and dry decomposition. This process ideally takes place during the usual resting period of 15 to 25 years, leading to complete skeletonization of the body [27,28]. ...
Human decomposition processes generate pulses of nutrients, such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in the form of ammonium and nitrate (NO3−), which are released into the surrounding environment. The little exploration related to the potential of cadaveric leachate to influence the physical chemistry and biology of the soil makes it difficult to obtain data and scientific evidence, and subsequently the predominant objective of the current study was to determine soil contamination through the analysis of parameters of physical chemistry that included organic matter (OM), NO3−, texture, humidity, and pH. Soil samples were taken at different depths in two temporary trials (the dry and rainy seasons) in central Ecuador. The Kruskal–Wallace and ANOVA statistical analyses determined significant differences in relation to the sampling sections and by categories, while there were no significant differences in the inter-season analysis; therefore, the study was based on the data obtained in the dry season. The results indicate a tendency towards contamination in cemeteries categorized as critical, that is, moderate, light, and not suitable due to the high values of OM and humidity measured. On the contrary, the soils that corresponded to the cemeteries classified as suitable yielded low values of the analyzed parameters, which corroborates their capacity for the present and future location of cemeteries. Monitoring and managing soil health is crucial to ensure sustainable environmental practices and protect public health; nonetheless, additional research is suggested to confirm the findings of the current study.
... Although the natural process of decomposition is continuous and dynamic, it is possible to define distinct phases or stages (Payne 1965;Davis and Goff 2000). Didactical phasing is commonly used in decomposition ecology studies and criminal investigations (Goff 2009). After death, decomposition begins with autolysis (breakdown of cells by their own enzymes), followed by putrefaction (decomposition by microorganisms) and activity of insects that use the decomposing resource as a site for feeding, copulation, and egg-laying (Byrd and Castner 2000), mainly by the action of Diptera and Coleoptera. ...
... In most environments, coleopterans are progressively observed as the decomposition of the substrate progresses (Goff 1991(Goff , 2009Mise et al. 2007;Matuszewski et al. 2010;Bala and Singh 2015). However, it remains to be clarified whether this pattern may vary between Coleoptera families and species. ...
Coleopterans constitute the second largest order of insects of forensic importance, after the dipterans, which scavenger species are fundamental participants in the process of cadaveric decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. This study aims to: (i) investigate whether coleopterans are indeed more attracted to the final stages of decomposition in the Cerrado, as observed in other biomes; (ii) identify which species colonize carcasses; and (iii) compile a list of forensically relevant beetles for the biome. We performed the experiments in two protected areas between June 2017 and January 2019, in months representative of the dry and rainy seasons. We conducted collections of beetles using 72 pig carcasses throughout all stages of decomposition. A total of 3,006 beetles were identified into 66 taxa from 12 families. Beetles were most abundant in the final stages of decomposition, particularly during the skeletonization stage, which accounted for approximately 45% of the collected individuals. Considering the most abundant families, Scarabaeidae showed no preference in attractiveness amongst the stages of decomposition, whilst Staphylinidae, Silphidae, Dermestidae, and Histeridae were more attracted by the two latter stages of the process. Two species, Dermestes maculatus (De Geer, 1774) and Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840), were observed colonizing the carcasses. This work is pioneering for the Cerrado, uses a large number of carcasses and therefore contributes to a better understanding of ecological processes in the area by approaching the ecology of decomposition of carcasses and scavenger beetles. A list of the species in the region and their utility to forensic entomology is also discussed.
... In the present study, livor mortis (post-mortem tumor or post-mortem glaucoma) was observed. Livor mortis requires differentiation from a contusion or bruise, which is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel as a result of the impact of a blunt force and the depletion of blood in the surrounding tissue [38] . ...
... There are five stages of decomposition, namely fresh, swollen, active decomposition, advanced decomposition, and skeletal stages [18,38] . It may be difficult for forensic scientists to determine and classify the condition of the cadaver based on only one stage [39] . ...
... The study of the decaying process according to the morphological/physical modifications observed showed five distinct decomposition stages of the rat carrion which is similar to that of Goff (2009) [56] , Al-Meshah et al. (2012) [57] , Corrêa et al. (2014) [60] , Silva et al. (2014) [59] and Azevedo et al. (2018) [58] emphasizing the influence of the parameters such as temperature, hygrometry, win speed, sunniness, rainfall etc. on the evolution of the decomposition of a cadaver. This key role played by these factors was also notice by Silahuddin et al. (2015) [23] and Dao et al. (2018a) [14] reinforcing that the abiotic factors such as climate and others factors intrinsic to the carcasses guided the decomposition process of the death animal. ...
... The study of the decaying process according to the morphological/physical modifications observed showed five distinct decomposition stages of the rat carrion which is similar to that of Goff (2009) [56] , Al-Meshah et al. (2012) [57] , Corrêa et al. (2014) [60] , Silva et al. (2014) [59] and Azevedo et al. (2018) [58] emphasizing the influence of the parameters such as temperature, hygrometry, win speed, sunniness, rainfall etc. on the evolution of the decomposition of a cadaver. This key role played by these factors was also notice by Silahuddin et al. (2015) [23] and Dao et al. (2018a) [14] reinforcing that the abiotic factors such as climate and others factors intrinsic to the carcasses guided the decomposition process of the death animal. ...
... This rate depends on the existing vegetation community, soil types, and climatic conditions. Bacterial growth and insect activities are slowed or inhibited at lower temperatures, thus delaying the decomposition process (Goff 2009). ...
Carrion decomposition has a significant impact on soil chemical profiles. However, soil nutrient research associated with animal carcasses in Antarctica has been relatively scarce, and the effect of penguin carrion decomposition on soil chemical composition is largely unknown. We aimed to determine Antarctica’s soil chemistry profiles associated with penguin carrion. Soil samples were collected from a penguin rookery near King Sejong Station, Barton Peninsula, King George Island, Antarctica. Dry combustion methods were used to identify soil nitrogen and sulfur, while ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate were determined colorimetrically using a spectrophotometer. In addition, total carbon, pH, electrical conductivity, soil moisture, and soil porosity were also determined. Overall, soil chemical properties were not significantly different between the stages of decomposition and the sampling locations. These findings suggest that nutrients from penguin carrion disperse and leach in limited quantities into the soil, probably due to the active scavenging activities by vertebrate scavengers and the slower decomposition rate resulting from cold temperatures in the Antarctic region.
... Abdominal inflation due to gas production and accumulation is a preliminary sign of progression to the bloating stage. If the pressure is severe enough, it can result in post-mortem injury and a change in the microbial environment from anaerobic to aerobic [28,29]. The deflation of the body initiates the onset of active decay, facilitated by microorganisms and scavenging activity until only the skeleton, skin and hair remain [24]. ...
Forensic microbiology is a relatively new discipline, born in part thanks to the development of advanced methodologies for the detection, identification and characterization of microorganisms, and also in relation to the growing impact of infectious diseases of iatrogenic origin. Indeed, the increased application of medical practices, such as transplants, which require immunosuppressive treatments, and the growing demand for prosthetic installations, associated with an increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, have led to a rise in the number of infections of iatrogenic origin, which entails important medico-legal issues. On the other hand, the possibility of detecting minimal amounts of microorganisms, even in the form of residual traces (e.g., their nucleic acids), and of obtaining gene and genomic sequences at contained costs, has made it possible to ask new questions of whether cases of death or illness might have a microbiological origin, with the possibility of also tracing the origin of the microorganisms involved and reconstructing the chain of contagion. In addition to the more obvious applications, such as those mentioned above related to the origin of iatrogenic infections, or to possible cases of infections not properly diagnosed and treated, a less obvious application of forensic microbiology concerns its use in cases of violence or violent death, where the characterization of the microorganisms can contribute to the reconstruction of the case. Finally, paleomicrobiology, e.g., the reconstruction and characterization of microorganisms in historical or even archaeological remnants, can be considered as a sister discipline of forensic microbiology. In this article, we will review these different aspects and applications of forensic microbiology.
... Motley's (2022) taphonomic analysis of the completeness and (2022) demonstrates that hyperflexion can be achieved after the cessation of rigor mortis. Estimates for the duration of rigor mortis vary between 24 and 84 hours after death (Goff 2009) and 44 and 76 hours after death (Krompecher 2015). Goff (2009) notes that low temperatures can prolong rigor while higher temperatures can reduce its length. ...
... Estimates for the duration of rigor mortis vary between 24 and 84 hours after death (Goff 2009) and 44 and 76 hours after death (Krompecher 2015). Goff (2009) notes that low temperatures can prolong rigor while higher temperatures can reduce its length. A delay between death and burial is also consistent with various Spanish chronicles, which describe a delayed mortuary ritual of approximately five to 10 days (depending on the source: e.g., Cieza de Leon [1553] 1922:220; the Huarochiri manuscript Avila [1573Avila [ -1647Avila [ ] 1991andGuaman Poma [1615] 2009:226-228). ...
A paleoradiographic survey of funerary bundles (fardos) from a Late Intermediate Period (1000 A.D.–1472 A.D.) cemetery in Sector 3 of the site of Pachacamac, Peru, demonstrated that 15 out of 61 individuals had had their head removed when the body was in an advanced state of skeletonization/mummification. Detailed analysis of the field report, the fardos themselves, and X-rays and computed tomography scans of the fardos suggested that nine of these individuals were potential candidates for head removal in antiquity. Of those nine, six appeared to be clear examples of this practice. The analysis of multiple lines of evidence suggests that the use of this cemetery was complex, as part of a dynamic mortuary program that involved exposing the body for varying lengths of time and repeated excavations for new interments when earlier burials were encountered. We conclude that these heads were removed from funerary bundles when graves were being dug for subsequent burials and the specific identity of the bundled individual had been lost. When considered within the abundant archaeological record of decapitation in the Pre-Hispanic Andes, as well as ethnohistoric accounts, this pattern is consistent with reported retrieval of heads as material manifestations of ancestors. However, when placed within the broader context of contemporary sites from the Central and Southern Coast, it is clear that specific cultural motivations may have varied through space and time. L’étude paléoradiographique de paquets funéraires (fardos) provenant d’un cimetière de la période intermédi-aire tardive (1000 A.D.– 1472 A.D.) dans le secteur 3 du site de Pachacamac, Pérou, a démontré que 15 des 61 in-dividus avaient subi une ablation de la tête lorsque que le corps était dans un état avancé de squelettisation/momification. L’analyse détaillée du rapport de fouille, des fardos eux- mêmes, ainsi que les résultats des radiographies et des tomodensitogrammes des fardos suggèrent que neuf de ces individus figuraient comme des candidats potentiels à la décollation sur la période considérée. Sur ces neuf individus, six d’entre eux semblent être des exemples clairs de cette pratique. L’analyse de plusieurs sources de données suggère que l’utilisation de ce cimetière était complexe et s’inscrivait dans le cadre d’un système mortuaire dynamique qui impliquait l’expo-sition du corps pour des durées variées ainsi que l’exhumation d’anciennes tombes pour procéder à de nouveaux ensevelissements. Nous concluons que ces têtes ont été soustraites des paquets funéraires lors du creusement de nouvelles tombes lorsque l’identité spécifique de l’individu anciennement inhumé avait été perdue. Si l’on tient compte de l’abondante documentation archéologique sur la décapitation dans les Andes pré- Hispaniques, ainsi que les récits ethnohistoriques, ce schéma est cohérent avec la récupération des têtes en tant que manifestations matérielles des ancêtres. Cependant, en se plaçant dans le contexte plus large des sites contemporains de la côte centrale et méridionale, il n’est pas à écarter que les motivations culturelles spécifiques aient pu varier dans l’espace et dans le temps. Mots clés: Pérou; sépulture sans tête; archéologie mortuaire; préhispanique Un estudio paleoradiográfico de fardos funerarios del Período Intermedio Tardío (1000 d.C.–1472 d.C.) del cementerio en el Sector 3 del sitio de Pachacamac, Perú, demostró que 15 individuos de un total de 61 personas les habían extraído la cabeza cuando el cuerpo se encontraba en un estado avanzado de esqueletización/momificación. Análisis detallado del informe de campo, los fardos mismos, como también las radiografías y las tomografías computarizadas de los fardos sugirieron que nueve de estos individuos eran potenciales candidatos para la remoción de cabezas en la antigüedad. De esos nueve, seis parecen ser claros ejemplos de esta práctica. El análisis de múltiples líneas de evidencia sugiere que el uso de este cementerio fue complejo, como parte de un programa mortuorio dinámico que implicó la exposición del cuerpo durante períodos de tiempo variables y excavaciones repetidas para nuevas inhumaciones cuando se encontraron entierros anteriores. Concluimos que estas cabezas fueron retiradas de los fardos funerarios cuando se cavaban las tumbas para entierros posteriores y se había perdido la identidad específica del individuo envuelto. Cuando se considera dentro del abundante registro arqueológico de decapitaciones en los Andes Pre-hispanos, así como los relatos etnohistóricos, este patrón es consistente con la recuperación de cabezas reportada como manifestación material de los antepasados. Sin embargo, cuando se les sitúa dentro del contexto más amplio de los sitios contemporáneos de la costa central y sur, queda claro que las motivaciones culturales específicas pueden haber variado a través del espacio y el tiempo. Palabras claves: Perú; Pachacamac; entierro sin cabeza; arqueología mortuoria; Prehispánico
